Tag: military dogs

Congress Votes to Return Military Dogs to US and Reunite Them with Handlers

JUNE 9, 2017 UPDATE: “Meagan Leavey” is now a major motion picture.

NOV. 25, 2015 UPDATE: Today President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law.

On average, every U.S. military working dog saves from 150 to 200 servicemen and women during his career. And what rewards are bestowed upon these heroes when they retire from duty overseas?

None. The sad fact is that they are usually left behind on enemy soil, since these retired working dogs are considered civilians and not permitted on military vehicles. The cost to transport them home is prohibitive.

But working military dogs may no longer have to face this undeserved fate. Yesterday the U.S. Senate voted 71-25 to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a provision that these dogs will be returned by the military to U.S. soil when they retire, and their handlers will have first dibs on adopting them as pets.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer (yes, he’s a second cousin of comedian Amy Schumer) pushed for the bill’s language that allows handlers to adopt the dogs who served alongside them.

“After all we know about treating debilitating post war conditions, like PTSD and other health afflictions, it makes absolute sense to keep service members joined with their service dogs,” Schumer said in a Memorial Day press release. “Here we have a commonsense policy that is good for the animals that give it their all for America — and for the American heroes who love these dogs so dearly.”

Three years ago, Schumer helped Cpl. Meagan Leavey adopt Sgt. Rex, her military working dog. Since Rex was 10 years old at the time and in declining health, Schumer urged the Air Force to expedite the process. All former military working dogs should be able to enjoy a retirement like Leavey gave Rex, Schumer said — one of “love, devotion and gratitude.”

The NDAA provision, supported by the American Humane Association (AHA), was introduced in the House by Rep. Frank LoBiondo and in the Senate by Sen. Claire McCaskill.

“Today, America’s military working dogs are one step closer to being guaranteed treatment as the heroes they are,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, AHA president and CEO, in a press release today.

“We believe all our veterans – two-footed and four-footed – should come back to a hero’s welcome, a loving, forever home, and the happy, healthy, and dignified retirement they so deserve after a lifetime of service to their country,” Dr. Ganzert said.

“That hope is now within sight of becoming a reality.”

Photo credits: The U.S. Army; Cpl. Michelle Brinn

Tissue (Box) Alert: ‘Max’ Movie Features Military Dog with PTSD

May 2017 Update: The sequel “Max 2: White House Hero” (affiliate link) is now available on digital HD and DVD.

It’s not just two-legged members of the military who can suffer the devastating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — military dogs are susceptible as well.

The title character of the new movie “Max” (affiliate link) — which Esquire is calling “Hollywood’s dog version of ‘American Sniper'” — is a Belgian Malinois who’s been traumatized by the death of his handler, U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Max is adopted by Wincott’s family and bonds with his teenage brother as they both cope with their loss.

At least 10 percent of military dogs suffer canine PTSD, according to Walter Burghardt Jr., chief of behavioral medicine and military working-dog studies at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Dogs and their handlers are trained for all military branches at Lackland, which also has a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital that treats military and police dogs.

Canine PTSD was first recognized as a combat affliction in 2009.

The dogs are “essentially broken and can’t work,” Burghardt told the Los Angeles Times in 2012.

As with humans, the symptoms of canine PTSD vary. Dogs may be afraid of the dark or loud noises, or their temperaments may drastically change. Most of the dogs refuse to perform the tasks they were trained to do.

The treatment for canine PTSD is similar to that for humans. It includes counterconditioning and, sometimes, anti-anxiety medication.

Burghardt estimated that about half the dogs with PTSD can be retrained for “useful employment,” while the other half — like Max — are retired from the military and can be adopted as family pets.

This is a huge improvement since the 1970s, when hundreds of military dogs who served in Vietnam were considered “equipment” and abandoned there when the war ended.

“Max” was directed and co-written by Boaz Yakin (“Remember The Titans”) and stars Josh Wiggins, Robbie Arnell, Thomas Haden Church and Lauren Graham. It’s coming to a theater near you June 26.

The official trailer was released this week. Grab a tissue or three, and take a look. (The heartbreaking scene at the marine’s funeral is likely based on this real-life incident.)

Photo via Facebook

Hero War Dogs to Be Honored for First Time in NYC Veterans Day Parade

For the first time ever, the 2014 America’s Parade in New York City — the largest Veterans Day event in the country — will have two floats honoring four-legged war heroes on Tuesday.

“This showcases that age-old human-dog bond at its best,” Ryan Hegg, deputy director of the United War Veterans Council, which produces the parade, told the New York Daily News.

Riding on one of the floats will be six military dogs and their handlers, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Along for the ride will be veteran/rapper/actor Ice-T and his wife, Coco.

“I served in the Army and know the life-saving heroism of these dogs,” Ice-T said in a press release. “It is time that we recognize both our human veterans who sacrificed so much and our four-legged veterans who save lives on the battlefield – and at home – every day.”

The float is being sponsored by the American Humane Association and a generous donation from Lois Pope, a singer and heiress to the National Enquirer.

The military dogs “are heroes,” Pope told the Daily News. “They save so many lives.”

The other new float will feature therapy dogs who are working with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

That float is sponsored by the A&E Network, which is also premiering the new documentary series “Dogs of War” on Veterans Day. Each episode will focus on a veteran with PTSD going through the process of working with a therapy dog who has been rescued from a shelter.

“This series is full of raw, real and intensely emotional moments that don’t often get a spotlight in mainstream media,” David McKillop, the A&E Network’s general manager and executive vice president, said in a press release.

Hegg told the Daily News he hopes the two new America’s Parade floats will be “another way to get folks aware of military issues.”

The 2014 America’s Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Park Avenue and 26th Street. It will be broadcast live on FOX5 (WNYW) and streamed on myfoxny.com. A one-hour special about the parade will air Nov. 16 on these channels across the country.

“Dogs of War” premieres on the A&E Network at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Nov. 11, then moves to Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT starting Nov. 16.

Photos via Facebook and unitedwarveterans.org

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